Wheelchair caster assembly with anti-flutter feature
US11141331B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 26, 2018 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60B2900/131
- WIPO fieldMechanical elements
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A housing unit for a caster assembly comprising a hollow housing body forming an inner cavity. A first bearing is connected to the hollow housing body, the first bearing defining a rotational axis through its center, and configured to rotatably support a first portion of a stem supporting a caster for rotation about the rotational axis. A support assembly is connected to the hollow housing body, the support assembly being spaced from the first bearing, the support assembly having bearing segments concurrently defining a plain bearing around the rotational axis, the plain bearing configured to rotatably support a second portion of the stem during rotation about the rotational axis. A pressure-applying component is operatively mounted to the support assembly, the pressure-applying component being selectively displaceable to displace the at least one of the bearing segments toward or away from the second portion of the stem, to increase or decrease a pressure of the bearing segments on the second portion of the stem. The support assembly and the first bearing are configured to rotatably support the stem of the caster to form a swivel joint.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.